Sheet feeding device



E. H. DREHER 2,537,747 SHEET FEEDING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hill W Jan.9, 1951 Filed Jan. 22, 1947 I NVENTOR ELMER H. DREHER 5, AGENT MlnA 11VIII IY Jan. 9, 1951 E. H. DREHER SHEET FEEDING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Jan. 22, 1947 INVENTOR R E H E R D W T H m G R A r.- M L E y Y BMN Nw A f V 0N 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 E. H. DREHER SHEET FEEDING DEVICE IHIHJan. 9, 1951 Filed Jan. 22, 1947 Em E NVQJITOR ELM ER H. DREHER w AGENT7///// I Z M Jan. 9, 1951 E. H. DREHER SHEET FEEDING DEVICE 6Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 22, 1947 VOE INVENTOR ELMER H. DREHER 5Y2: Z(M AGENT Jan. 9, 1951 E. H. DREHER SHEET FEEDING DEVICE 6 SheetS- Sheet5 Filed Jan. 22, 1947 llllllllllllllllll INVENTOR ELMER H DREHER AGENTJan, 9, 1951 E. H. DREHER SHEET FEEDING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FiledJan. 22,1947

INVENTOR ELMER H. DREHER AGENT Patented Jan. 9 1951 SHEET FEEDING DEVICEElmer H. Dreher, East to Remington Rand I poration of Delaware N orwalk,Conn., assignor nc., Buffalo, N. Y., a'cor- Application January 22,1947, Serial No. 723,483

19 Claims. 1

This invention relates to paper feed devices for bookkeeping machinesand more particularly to machines of this character in which the papersheets employed therewith are front fed.

It is the principal object of the present invention to simplify thefeeding of paper sheets to the platen in bookkeeping machines, and toincrease the speed of operation through a reduction in operator effort.

Another object of the invention is to permit the superpositioning of anindividual entry sheet into feeding, adjusting and printing positionswithout disturbing a previously introduced listing sheet.

A further object of the invention is to facilitate the feeding of papersof various qualities and thicknesses.

A still further object is to permit a more simple and convenientalignment of the front fed paper sheets.

An additional object is to simplify the manual operation for insertingand aligning the paper sheets and ultimately positioning said sheets inprinting position.

In carrying out the above objects, the present invention provides amechanism for positioning an integral feed table in close proximity tothe platen in such a manner that the edge of the table adjacent theplaten forms a line gauge along which the paper sheets fed from thetable are capable of being adjusted by the operator of the machine toset the paper in a desirable aligned position.

Further constructive improvement for carrying out these objects utilizesthe gripping instrumentalities which normally press the paper againstthe platen so that the same are conditioned to loosely grip the paperagainst the platen when the feed devices are in a paper adjustingposition to thereby enable the operator of the machine to readily obtainadjustment of the sheets with no manipulation other than that necessaryto locate the sheets properly.

Additional constructive novelty for attaining the aforementioned objectsresides in the provision of a settable frame for the machine throughwhich control is exerted over associated instrumentalities foroperatively conditioning both the feed. table and the paper grippingfeed devices with relation to the platen.

Mechanism has also been provided whereby the platen frame is latched tothe carriage frame to locate the platen and the feed devices therewithin separate paper adjusting and printing positions.

In order to adapt the paper feed for diiferent grades and thicknesses ofpaper, a novel arrangement is provided whereby the angular relationshipof the associated front and rear feed tables may be variably settable toaccommodate the use thereon of a variety of diiferent types of paperwhen theplaten is in a paper feeding position.

Other objects and structural details of the present invention will beapparent from the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of the machine, with various partsbroken away to clearly indicate the relative positions thereof;

Fig. 2 is a vertical front to rear sectional view taken along the lines22 of Fig. 1 and showing the carriage in a normal printing position;

Fig. 3 is a front cross sectional view of a portion of the machine takenalong the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 44 of Fig. 1; a

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 2. showing the carriage in aposition accommodating insertion of the paper;

Fig. 6 is also a sectional view of the machine similar to Figs. 2 and5,the parts in this instance being shown in a paper adjusting position;

Fig. '7 is a partial'sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing the upperfeed rollers in a completely raised position out of engagement with theplaten;

Fig. 8 is a partial detail isometric view of the carriage frame asconstructed to embody the present invention; and

Fig. 9 is a partial detail isometric view of the platen frame.

Throughout the drawings of the present invention, only an individualentry sheet and a single listing sheet, with its associated carbonsheet, are shown, the same being indicated by the letters L and R, R,respectively.

For purposes of simplicity the invention described herein is shownembodied in a key operated Remington recording and computing ma chine.However, while the invention is herein 3 embodied in the above typemachine, it will be understood that the same may be used in connectionwith any type of recording and computing machine without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Only so much of the old machine is hereinshown and described as is consistent with a clear understanding of theinvention.

BASIC CONSTRUCTION (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) The frame of the machine is of theusual construction and includes a top plate l carrying fixed guide railsll, oppositely grooved to receive guide rollers 12. These rollers arealso received in oppositely grooved carriage rails [3 at the front andrear of the carriage, said rails being connected with the end bars l4and iii of the carriage. The rails 13 and end bars l4 and I form theframe of the movable carriage.

The carriage, which is driven in any suitable manner (not shown), isthus supported and mounted to travel from side to side of the machineover the top plate H] under control of the usual escapement mechanism,the rack of this mechanism being indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing at 6and a pinion of the same being, designated at 11.

Carriage movement may also be controlled in a manner well known in theart by the usual tabulator mechanism (not shown) of a machine of thistype. The column stop bar of such a mechanism is shown in the drawing at[8, the same being secured to the brackets 20 fixed to and projectingrearwardly from the carriage.

, The usual ribbon vibrator mechanism is employed so as to interpose theribbon in the path of type 2| at each actuation of a type bar 22 as wellknown in the art (Fig. 2). Only the upper end portion of the ribbonvibrator 23 is shown, it being understood, however, that the vibrator isguided for up and down movement on the type guide 24 in the usualmanner.

j A pointer 25. is suitably mountedon the central front upper portionofthe top plate it), the same forming in conjunction with the scale 25,situated onthe forward part of thefront feed table, a position indicatorfor the movable carriage.

The platen 49 is carried by a platen frame of altered construction andembodying the present inventive concepts as will hereinafter be moreparticularly described. Consequently, the usual case shifting mechanismfor guidin the customary form of platen frame for this machine in itscase shifting movements is not employed. The present machine, however,is intended to write only with capital letters or upper case characters,and there are, therefore, no case shifting movements of the platen andthe platen frame, the platen frame being firmly held on the carriage inupper case position when the same is located for a printing operation.Instrumentalities of the present invention are provided to hold theplaten in its upper case printing position where it will coact with theoutermost types 2| on the type bars 22; these type bars being mounted ina type segment (not shown) in the usual manner to swing upwardly andrearwardly to a printing position where they strike against the frontface of the platen.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 3, the construction of the usual linespacing mechanism of a machine of this type has been altered in minordetails to obviate interference of the same with the platen frame duringmovement of the frame.

Essentially, the line spacing mechanism is the customary construction,the change being in the shape of the links, including the adjustablelatch member 28, the arm 30 of the same pivoted about the platen shaft,the link 3i pivotally connected to arm 38, the pawl 32 similarly joinedto arm 38 and cooperating with ratchet 33 which is a fixed part of therotatable platen unit, and the slide link 35, pivotally joined at oneend to the link 3! on a rocker supporting member 35, and slidablymounted at its other end through means of a pin and slot connection, thelink 34 being slotted lengthwise and the pin with which it cooperatesbeing situated on an extending piece 36 on the platen frame. Thismechanism is set through the latch member 28 by the operator of themachine to obtain the line spacing desired which is automaticallyeffected in the customary manner upon reversal of the direction ofmotion of the carriage through means of gear 31, slide rack 38, and thebell-crank 48 mounted for pivotal movement upon the extension ii of thecarriage frame, the roller 52 of the bell-crank is engaging the offsetportion 53 situated on the slide link 35 to move the linkage toaccomplish this operation.

The platen is yieldably held against rotation by means of the usualroller i4, cooperating with the teeth of ratchet 33, and spring arm 45for the roller, the arm in this instance being secured to the extendingpiece 36 of the platen frame.

THE MODIFIED CARRIAGE FRAME (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8) desirable mannerto the outside face of the respective bars. This increases the extent oflim-.- ited travel afforded between the shiftable platen and thecarriage frame and provides sufficient latitude of movement tofacilitate the location of the platen in a plurality of definedoperative positions in the machine, a paper feeding position, a paperadjusting position, and a printing position, by retaining meanshereinafter more particularly described. By reference to an end View ofthe carriage frame as shown in Fig. 4, the contiguous and overallarcuately-shaped formation of the enlarged slot defined by the limitplate 45 and the end bars I l and i5 of the carriage frame is clearlyindicated. In this view. the platen shaft 18, sleeved by bushings l9which project slidably through the slots on both sidesof the carriageframe, and the platen 49 therefor are shownin their normal printingpositions in the machine.

A cam plate 59 is suitably secured to, and disposed along the inwardlysituated face of the respective end bars of the carriage frame, the sameproviding a means by which a plurality of movable paper feed devices, orrollers, that are normally held in pressed engagement with the platen ata point below the printing line thereof, aredisabl-ed from saidengagement and are positively conditioned in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, the follower roller 51, Fig.

4, cooperating with the undersurface portions 52 and 53 of the cam plate50 to obtain the desired result.

Returning to Fig. 3, the carriage frame also includes two verticallysituated posts 54, one of the same being mounted at each end of thecolumn stop bar iii. A cross bar 55 is secured upon the posts 54 andprovides an anchorage connection at each end of the same for a springmember 56 by which the platen is continually urged towards a topmostlimiting position with regard to slot 41 as will hereinafter be moreparticularly set forth.

The carriage frame furthermore includes a two position latch holdingpiece 57 (Figs. and 6) which is mounted in a suitable manner against theinner wall of the carriage end bar Hi, the respective retaining teethfor this member being indicated at 58 and 59. The movable platen frameof the machine is adapted to be retained by said latch piece 57 so thatwhen the latch 00- operating with the piece is retained by the tooth 58,the platen is situated ina paper adjusting position and, when the latchis retained by tooth 59, the platen is situated in a printing position.i

A pair of brackets 69 is utilized to provide a mounting for the frontfeed table of the machine. These members are secured to the top surfaceof the front carriage rail l3 at opposite sides of the carriage frame,the same being inwardly disposed to and respectively adjacent the endbars I; and With reference to Fig. 4, the main body of the brackets (itwhich are disposed in parallel relation to the end bars l4 and i5, isinclined with respect to thecarriage frame, the forwardly extendingportion of the members being located above the associated part of thecarriage and the rearwardly extending portion of the members beingsituated below the same. A shaft 65 is journalled in the spaced parallelbracket member 66, i

the shoulder ends of the same providing a mounting for the hereinafterdescribed platen frame. A rod 6-2 is also located between the forwardlyextending portions of the bracket members, the same serving as an undersupport upon which the front feed table of the machine slides in itsmovement toward and away from the platen. A bail shaped memberconstituted of two arms 63, one of which is pivotally joined to each ofthe respective bracket members 60 at the rearwardly disposed endsof thesame, and a cross rod 64 therebetweenfdirectly sup-ports the front paperfeed table at the pivotal connection of these parts indicated at 66. Byregulating the position of the bail-shaped member, the reciprocativelymounted front feed table of the carriage frame may be moved or shiftedtowards or away from the platen of the machine in accordance with theteachings of the invention, the table loosely sliding over cross rod $2upon which it rests due to the force of gravity. Curved cam slots 61 areprovided in the respective arms 63 of the bail-shaped feed tablesupporting member by which movement of the table with relation to theplaten with which it is associated is controlled through the platenframe.

THE PLATEN FRAME (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9)

With particular reference to Fig. 9, the platen 49 of the machine iscarried in a frame consisting of two similarly shaped end plates 68arranged in parallel relation on opposite sides of the platen, the shaft58 of the platen being journalled therein. The end plates 68 areconstructed to include a forwardly extending branch iii,- a

rearwardly extending branch H and a downwardly extending branch l2. Endplate 68 at the left of the machine within the carriage'frame alsoincludes an upwardly extending branch 73 on which is suitably located apalm bar 14 by means of which the operator of the machine is able tomove the platen frame so that the platen is in a desired position.

The forwardly extending branch 1c of the right hand end plate 68 of theplaten frame, as viewed in Fig. 1, is offset in relation to the mainbody of the plate in order to avoid interference thereof with thelinkage of the previously described line spacing mechanism. A cross barl5 connects the branches 72 of the end plates 68 and forms a portion ofthe integral platen frame.

The platen frame is mounted for pivotal movement-within the limitsafforded the same by the slots 4'! in the carriage frame by theconnection of the parts on shaft 6!, the ends of the shaft beingprovided with a shoulder at it (Fig. 4) to receive a correspondinglyshaped slotted portion in the forwardly extending branch "50 of the endplates of the platen frame. A suitable collar 16' is utilized betweenthe bracket member and. the platen frame end plate on the left-hand sideof the machine, as viewed in Fig. 1, to prevent longitudinal movement ofthe platen. frame with relation to the carriage frame. Also, the platenframe is continually urged to assume an upper limiting position withregard to the carriage frame as illustrated in Fig. 5, the platentherein being located in a paper feeding position. As shown in Figs. 1and 3, the means for obtaining this condition consists in 77, one end ofwhich is fastened to a fixed collar 18 on the platen frame shaft 6i andcontinuously urges this frame in a counter-clockwise direc tion, asviewed in Fig. 5. The other end of spring 77 is fixed to the stationarybracket member 69 of the carriage frame. However, the primary effort inthis regard is obtained through the springs 56 (Fig. 4) which by meansof arms if? pivoted on suitable pins 99 situated on the exterior sidesof the respective platen frame end plates 68 on the branches 72 thereofeffects this result. The means for setting the shiftable platen frame sothat the platen is located in a paper adjusting position or printingposition comprises a pivoted finger latch 89 mounted on the exteriorface of the left-hand platen frame end plate 68 (Fig. 9), the tooth ofwhich engageswith the latch piece 5'5 on the carriage frame. A spring 8!urges the finger operated latch 80 in a clockwise direction as viewed inFig. 5, and maintains the same in operative engagement with either tooth53 or 53 of the latch piece 5? cooperating therewith. When tooth orlatch St is situated in engagement with tooth 58 of the latch piece El,the platen frame is retained or set against the continued action ofsprings 56 and Ti so that the platen is located in a paper adjustingposition, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. Also, when the tooth of latch 8i!is situated in engagement with tooth 59 of the latch piece 51, theplaten frame is retained or set so that the platen is located in aprinting position,

, tive positions uated in the lower portion of branch 10 of the platenframe. Pin 82 is adapted to operate within the curved slot 6'! formed inthe pivotally part of acoiled spring -the cooperating mountedarms 63 ofthe carriageframebn'which the table .65 is located. The pin 82 serves asan :actuator which, influenced bymovement of the platen frame in anupward direction urges the feed table 65 from a withdrawn position toadvance the same into an operative position with relation to the platen.When the platen frame :is shifted .from a paper feeding position, Fig.5, to a paper adjusting position, Fig. 6, the pin 82 moves within thecurved slot 61 without effecting any movement of the table 65 whichremains in its advanced operating position. How

ever, as the platen assumes a paper adjusting position, the paper sheetsL fed under the platen from the table 65 are forced to assume theposition indicated in Fig. 6, the edge of the integral table in closeproximity to the platen consequently forming a line gauge facilitatingcorrect adjustment of the raised paper sheets by the operator of themachine. In this position of themachine, the portion of the tableadjacent the platen serves as a line gauge with which the bottoms of theline indicating characters contained on the paper sheets areregisterable, the

operator being afforded a full view of the face of the paper sheets tobe printed upon. On further movement of the platenframe in a downwarddirection, the pin 82 is effective to rock the arms 63 so that the tableis removed from an .advanced operating position with relation to theplaten and withdrawn to a position (Fig. 2) which permits normaloperation of the printing .instrumentalities of the machine, the platenin this instance being in its printingposition.

The table 55 forms a variably positioned flat plate member inassociation with the shiftable platen, both of these elements beingmovable with relation to one another in such a manner that in one oftheir relative positions the flat plate member serves as a front feedtable for the paper sheets, in another position the edge of the platemember is employable as a line gauge for the sheets fed to the machineand in a still further position of the parts, the plate member isremoved from effective cooperation with the platen.

The platen frame also provides a mountingfor paper gripping devices orfeed rollers effective below the printing line of the platen. Withparticular reference to Fig. 9,

these devices are located on a shaft 83 extending between the end plates68 of the platen frame and being journalled in the portions '12 thereof.

Only one of the series of similar bail-shaped roller mounting members,which are situated along substantially the entire length of the shaft 83and are loosely mounted thereon, will be described in detail. Each ofthese members is formed of two spaced parallel arms 84 which have ajoining bar 85 therebetween. A freely rotatable roller 86 is provided oneach of the side faces'of the respective arms 84 at a uniform distancefrom the common pivotal axis or shaft 83 on which the unitary papergripping devices are located.

In the normal operating positions of the bailshaped members the rollers85 thereof are pressed into engagement against the platen, it beingunderstood that such normal position occurs only when the platen frameand platen are situated in a printing position. The means provided forobtaining'the normal pressed engagement of rollers .86 against theplaten includes a bell-crank 81. also loosely mounted on shaft 83, oneend .of which is bifurcated and engages the joining bar 85 and the otherend-of which is continuously 8 urgediin a clockwise direction as viewedin Fig. '2 by a spring .88, the .fixed end of which is secured to abracket 89 connected to the cross bar 15 of the platen frame. Thetension of spring 88 is consequently effective upon the bail-shapedroller mounting members through joining bar '85 to obtain the desiredresult. A further means is provided to disable the normal engagement .ofthe rollers 36 against the platen, this means be ing effective when theplaten frame is in any :position other than a printing position, suchdis.-

.abling means also forming a means for conditioning the bail-shapedroller mounting membersxso that the respective rollers thereof looselygrip theipaper against the platen when the platen is in a paperadjusting position and cause the separation of the rollers and platenwhen the platen is located in a paper feeding position. =Suchmeans,operative through influence of the *platen frame in the instant case,include the arm 90 on which the cam follower 51 is mounted. There aretwo of such arms 90, shown herewith, one :armbeing provided for each endof the shaft 83 upon which the same are fixed. Each of therespective-baihshaped roller mounting members is provided with an arm 9|which overlies the adjoining bars of the same, this arm being suitablyfixed to the shaft 33 to rock with the same when under the influence ofthe coopera- *tive action of the cam follower 5| and cam plate 56. Withreference to Fig. 4, it will be noted that upon elevation of the platenframe, the

cam follower 5| first strikes the portion 52 of the cam plate 50 on thecarriage frame. This swings shaft'83 clockwise as viewed in this figure,which through .arms EH (Fig 9) disables the means normally holding therollers 86 in spring-pressed engagement against the platen. Fig. 6 showsthe positionof the parts at this time, the rollers 86 being thuslyconditioned to loosely grip the paper sheets against the platen andthereby permit the adjustment thereof. In the extreme upward limitingposition of the platen frame with respect to the carriage frame, asshown in Fig.

5, the cam follower 5i is situated against the .aportion'53 of the camsurface of cam plate 50.

This causes a further clockwise movement of shaft 83 and arm 98, asviewed in Fig. 4, which through arm 9! conditions the respectivebailshaped roller mounting members so that the rollers 8t thereof areclear of the platen andin an open throat position which facilitates thefeeding of the paper sheets from the front table '65 into the machine.

The upwardly extending portion H of the left- .hand platenframc endplate 68, as viewed in Fig. 1, has a curved recess 93 (Figs. 4 and 9) inthe .face thereof disposed toward the rear of the ma chine. The tip ofthe finger latch 8G is situated in the area of the recessed portion 33of the frame to position the same in a manner which provides its instantavailability for actuation by the machine operator.

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 9, the present devices alsoutilize the customary rear paper feed table 94 which is pivotallymounted at one end of the same upon the platen frame shaft 83, the"table consequently being movable along with the shift-able platenframe. The relative positions of the rear feed table when the .platen isset ina printing position, paper adjusting position, and paper feedingposition are shown-respectvely, in Figs. 2, 6 nd 5. The rear;gravity,against one or more cam shaped supportrectly underlies incontacted ing elements 95 which are adjustably mounted in a suitablemanner upon a base piece 96 fixed to the rear carriage rail I3 of thecarriage frame. During a shifting movement of the platen frame, thetable 94 slides upon the set supporting elements 95. With reference toFig. 5, it will consequently be noted that the angular relationshipbetween the front feed table 65 and the rear feed table 94 may be variedto accommodate the feeding of different types of paper, by changing theset position of the supporting elements 95 to place the rear feed tablein a desired position.

The feed rollers coacting with the platen above the printing line of thesame are also mounted upon the platen frame. In the instant case,

there is a first and second group of such rollers,

the same being suitably spaced from one another in a platen coactingposition. The first such group or plurality of rollers 91 are mounted inspaced relationship along rod 98 on which the same freely rotate. Withreference to Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the shiftable frame for the first groupof rollers particularly consists of two, limitedly movable links IIJIJ',one of which is pivotally mounted on the end of each of the rearwardlyextending branches II of the platen frame, each of the links IIiIihaving a gooseneck shaped arm IIII pivotally connected to one end of thesame. Links I80, arms IEiI the forwardly extending portions of the armsIII I, constitute the shiftable frame for the rollers 97. The rear faceof the link members I is provided with a limit slot I92, the respectivesides of which abut against a pin m3 which is situated on a fixed arm II14 secured to the rearwardly extending branch II of the end platesconstituting the platen frame. Springs IE5 which are fixed to therespective arms NH and anchored to the pins I03 provide a means foreither yieldably holding the rollers 92' of the frame against theplaten, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, or for retaining the samein an elevated or raised position with relation to the platen, as shownin and the rod 98, which joins,

Fig. 7. Lugs IE6 are provided on the forward portion of the arms 56! sothat the rollers 91 and frame may be easily raised from a platencoacting position by the operator of the machine.

The second group or plurality of feed rollers are situated on a furtherframe which underlies and is Within the are described by the frame ofthe described first group of feed rollers. In this instance, the framefor the spaced rollers III? is composed of rod Hi8 and the parallel armsI III, the ends of which are pivoted to the platen frame. A cross bar II I extends between elevated extending portions of the respective armsH8 and direlationship the under surface of the curved portion of thegooseneck shaped arms I EiI The rollers It? which are loosely mounted onrod I08 are consequently spring pressed against the platen by springsI05. This influence is exerted by pressure contact of the arms It!against the cross bar I I I. The cross bar II I serves as a liftablemeans or means by which the second group of feed rollers may beWithdrawn or shifted from a platen coacting position, the same beingsimultaneously effective to cause 'a similar movement of the first feedrollers from a platen coacting position. ,A slotted latch 7 member II2mounted on the left-hand rearward branch II of the platen frame, asviewed in Fig. engages a pin II 3 which extends from the arm III of thesecond frame for the feed rollers the latch consequently providing ameans for lockingthe frame in a position in which the rollers I01 arewithdrawn from the platen (Fig.

7), and also simultaneously preventing the re-;

turn of the first feed rollers! and the frame therefor to a platencoacting position because of the cross bar I I I.

The paper feeding devices herewith described operate as follows:

Starting at a printing position of the machine, as shown in Figs. 2 and4, the single illustrated ledger sheet L, which has been fed to themachine from the front feed table 65, is located to receive thenecessary entries to be made thereon, a copy of which is also recordedon the single illustrated master journal listing sheet B. After therequired entries are printed on the given by the rollers 9?,

operator urges the finger latch 85!, in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in Fig. 2, against. the spring III which releases the end of thesame engaging the two-position latch piece 51 so that the platen framemoves to-an upward limitingv position, as shown in Fig. 5, through thecooperative infiuence of springs 56 and II. In this termed paper feedingposition of the parts, the

platen cooperating rollers 86 have been with-- drawn from the platen toassume an open throat position clear of the platen by the positivemovement of the cam follower 5| to the portion 53 of the cam plate 50 onthe carriage frame. Also, pin 82 on the platen frame operating in thecam slot 6! of the feed table supporting arms 63 has, urged the table 65to an advanced position with respect to the platen 49. The ledger sheetL upon. which the entries were made is now entirely free and theoperator is able to remove the same from the machine.

With the parts of the machine remaining in the position shown in Fig. 5,the operator places the succeeding ledger sheet, L, fiat on the frontfeed table 65 and slides the paper rearward until the paper passes underthe platen 49 and, if-nec-- essary, so the rear portion of the paperrests on the rear feed table 94, so that the sheet is located in anapproximately desired position. At this point, the operator strikes thepalm bar I4 and moves the platen frame thereby until the latch engagesthe latch piece 51 at the tooth 58 of the same which conditions or setsthe parts as illustrated in Fig. 6. In this termed paper adjustingposition of the parts, the paper table 65 remains in the position towhich it was previously advanced, as hereinbefore described, the changein positionof the pin 82 of the platen frame in the curved arm slot 61taking place without altering the position of the table. Cam follower 5|has now been lowered with the platen frame so that the sameridesonportion 52 of the cam plate 50 of the carriage framewhich positivelyconditions the rollers 86 ,or gripping instrumen talities to looselygrip the paper againsttheplaten 49. By movement of the platen 49 intothis position in which the same is partially below.

the level of the table 65, the paper sheet L is pressed into a curvedcondition in which the face of thesheet to be printed upon rests againstthe edge of the feed table in close proximity to the platen. Theposition taken by sheet L at this is time'is clearly shown in Fig. 6,the table 65 conawn-74m 1'1 sequently formingbymeansofwhich the operatorof .the machine is able to correctly adjustthe sheets to be printed uponto place the same in a desired position. The preferable next, step inthe operation is to place the forwardly extending portion of the ledgersheet L under the front feed rollers 92.

The operator then depresses the platen frame by: pressing the palm bar14' so that the latch E53 engagesthe latch piece El at the tooth 59thereof which sets the'frame and its associated parts in the positionshown in Figs. 2 and l at the start of' the description of the operationof the machine. In the printing position, the disabling means for thenormally spring-pressed platen engaging rollers 86, consisting of thecam plate and cam follower EL-isrendered ineffective. Also, thefeedtable 65 has been retracted from its advanced position with respect tothe platen by the pivotal movement of the arms 63 influenced by-theplaten frame pin 82 so as to permit free operation of the printinginstrumentalities of the machine.

While I have described what I consider to be ahighly desirableembodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many changes in formcould be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I,therefore, do-notlimit myself to the exact form herein shown anddescribed; her to anything less than the whole of my inventionashereinbeforeset forth, and as hereinafter claimed.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a bookkeeping or like machine. a rocka-bl'eplaten and cooperatingpaper gripping instrumentalities having in combination therewith, areciprocatively mounted plate member associated with the platen, andmechanism by which said. member and platen are' moved relative to oneanother and said grippinginstrumentalities arecontrolled, with means forsetting the mechanism in a position in which the plate member isemployedas a paper'feed table, with the gripping instrumenta ities inineffective condition, and means for setting the mechanism inanotherposition in which the papergripping instrumen-- talities are insemi-effective condition and one ofthe-edges of the plate memberformsaline gauge for the paper fed to the machine on the.

feed'table.

2'. In a bookkeeping or-like machine, a rockaole platen andmovable-paper feed devices having in combination therewith, areciprocativelymounted platemember associated with the platen, andmechanism by which said plate member and. platen are movable relative toone another and said paper feed devices are controlled, with means forsetting the mechanism in aposition in which the plate is-employed as afront paper feed table with the paper feed devices in ineffectivecondition, and means for setting the mechanism in another'position inwhich the paper feed devices are in. semi-effective; condition and one.of the ecl'gesv of the plate member forms a line gauge for the paper,fed to the machine: on thefeed table.

3. The combination with a movable platen and.

anreciprocatively. mounted front'feed' paper table,

on paper gripping means cooperating with said platen, means for settingsaid platen in a. paper feeding position, a paper adjusting position andaaprinting position, means for partially disabling said paper-gripping:means when the platen is in said paper adjusting positionandmechanism-as a line gauge along" which and sociatingsai'dplatenandifront feed tablewhereby ingwith the platen when located in apaperadjusting position so that the same forms a line gauge for'thepaper sheets fed thereon.

4. In a bookkeepingor like machine, the combination of a platen, ashiftable platen frame, means forretaning said shiftable platen frame tolocate the platen in a plurality of operativepositions including a paperfeeding'position, a pa-- peradjusting position and a printing position;a carriage'frame on which said shiftable, platen frame is mounted, areciprocatively mounted front. paperfeed table situated. on saidcarriage frame and associated with said platen, and mechanism connectingsaid platen frame and front fed table for locating said table in closeproximity to the platen when the platen is in both its paper feedingposition and paper adjustng-position. and for removing saiditablefromsuch location when the platen is in a printing positionthe relationshipof said table and the platen, when the: platen is in a paper adjustingposition, being such that the edge of the table disposed. toward theplaten. forms a line gauge bywhich the paper sheets fed: to themachineare capable. of being adjusted.

5. In a. bookkeeping or-likemachine, the. come binationof a platen; ashiftable platen frame; movable paperfeed devices normally maintainedvinpressedengagement with the platen; means for retaining said platenframe to locate said platen in a plurality ofoperativepositionsineluding; a paper, feeding position, a paper adjustingposition and a printing position; means operable under control of theplatenframe for. disabling; the normal engagement of the feeddevices-with said platen and removing said feed devicesfrom said platen.when the platenis in a paper feeding position and loosely retaining saidfeed devices. against said platen when the platenis ina paper adjust ngposition; acarriage frame on which the shiftable platen frame ismounted; av reciprocatively mounted front. paper feed table situated onsaid carriage frame and associatedwith said platen; and means operableby said platen frameto locate said table in. close proximity to theplaten whenin both. its paper feeding position. and paper adjustingposition,

and to remove the platen from such location when the same is in aprinting position, the relationship of sa d table and the platen, whenin a paper adjusting position, being such that the edge of the tabledisposed toward, the platen forms a line gauge for the'machine on thefront feed table.

6. In a bookkeeping or like machine, the combination of a platen, ashiftable platen frame, means for normally urgingsaid platen frame tosituate the. platen. in a paper feeding position, means for'latchingsaid platen. frame to, secure the platen in a paper: adjusting positionand. a. printing position, a carriage frame on which the shiftableplaten frame is mounted, a reciprocatively. mounted front paperfeed.table situated position with respect to the platen when the platen ismoved to: apaper feeding position and when the: platen is in position,and

platen, when the platen is in a.

the paper sheets fed to.

13 for retaining said table in this advanced posit on upon movement ofthe platen frame and platen to a paper adjustin position to therebyprovide a line gauge for the employed paper sheets.

7. In a bookkeeping or like machine, the combination of a platenshiftable to a plurality of pos tions including a paper feedingposition, a paper adjustingposition and a printing position, a movablefront paper feed table associated with the platen, a movable rear papertable, and means for mounting said rear paper feed table so that theangularity of the same with respect to the front feed table, when theplaten is in a paper feeding position, is capable of being varied.

8. In a bookkeeping or like machine, the combination of a platen, ashiftable platen frame, means for retaining said platen frame so thatthe platen is located in a plurality of positions including a paperfeeding position, a paper adjusting position and a printing position; acarriage frame on which the shiftable platen frame is mounted, a movablefront feed paper table mounted on said carriage frame, a rear papertable one end of which is pivotally connected to said platen frame, andmeans for otherwise supporting said rear paper table so that theangularity of the same with respect to the front feed table, when theplaten is in a paper feeding position, is capab e of being varied.

9. In a bookkeeping or like machine, the combination of a platen andplaten frame, a plurality of first feed rollers coacting with saidplaten above the printing line, a shiftable pivotally mounted frame onsaid platen frame on which said first feed rollers are located,a'similarly mounted plura ity of second feed rollers stuated in s acedrelation to said first feed rollers and swingable within the aredescribed by the frame for said first feed rollers, and means effectiveupon the shifting of the second feed rollers away from the laten tocause the shifting of the first feed ro lers to withdraw the same from aplaten coacting position.

10. In a bookkeep ng or like machine, the combination of a platen andplaten frame, a plura ity of first feed ro lers coacting with saidplaten above the printing line, a shiftable pivotally mounted frame onsaid platen frame on which said first feed rollers are located, asimilarly mounted plurality of second feed rollers situated in spacedrelation to said first feed rollers and within the are described by theframe for,

said first feed rollers, means effective upon the I shifting of thesecond feed rollers away from the platen to cause the shifting of thefirst feed rollers to withdraw the same from a platen coacting position,and means for latching said second feed rollers in a withdrawn postionfrom the platen and thereby simultaneously in conjunction With saidfirst means preventing the return of the first feed rollers to a platencoacting position.

"11'. 'In'a bookkeeping or like inachine, the combination of a carriageframe, a platen and frame therefor movably connected to said carriageframe, means for retaining said platen frame with relation to thecarriage frame so that the platen is locatable in a plurality ofpositions, including a paper feeding position, a paper adjustingposition and rality of feed rollers coacting with said platen below theprinting line thereof, said rollers being movably mounted on said platenframe and arranged to be pressed against the platen when in a printingposition, and means for disabling a printing position; a plu-v paperfeeding position, said disabling means being adapted to condition therollers to loosely grip the paper against the platen when the 'minedpath on its axis,

platen frame is in a paper adjusting position, and being adapted tocause the separation of the rollers and platen when said platen frame isin a paper feeding position.

12. In a bookkeeping or like machine, the combination of a carriageframe, a platen and frame therefor movably connected to said carriageframe, means for retaining said platen frame with relation to thecarriage frame so that the platen is locatable in a plurality ofpositions, including a paper feeding paper adjusting position and aplurality of feed rollers coasting with said platen below the printingline thereof, said rollers being pivotally mounted on said platen frame,normally operative means for pressing said rollers against the platen, acam plate mounted on said carriage frame and a follower therefor on saidplaten frame adapted to control the pivotal movement of said rollers,the co-action of said cam plate and follower disabling the meansnormally pressing said rollers against the platen when said platen frameis in either a paper adjusting position or paper feeding position,wherein, respectively, said cam plate and follower condition the rollersto loosely grip the paper against the platen and cause the separation ofthe rollers and the platen.

13. In a bookkeeping or likemachine, a platen shiftable to a pluralityof positions, a feed table reciprocatively mounted for relative movementwith said platen, said platen adaptable to define a plurality ofpositions for feeding, adjusting and printing a superposed sheet withoutdisturbing a previously introduced record sheet, said feedtable arrangedto be in an inclinable plane to direct a sheet of paper edgewise towardssaid platen when the platen is in a feeding position, means cooperatingwith said platen, whenever it is disposed in a printing position, toretract the feed table for exposure of the printing line on said platen,and the rearward edge of said feed table cooperable with the platen whenlocated in said paper adjusting position so that the same forms a linegauge for the paper sheets fed thereon.

' In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen frame pivotally mounted tofollow a predetersaid path defining a plurality of positions adaptablefor feeding, adjusting and printing a superposed sheet without isturbinga previously introduced record sheet, actuating means manually operablethrough an initial depressing motion to urge said platen frame into apaper adjusting position and by a similar succeeding motion into aprinting position, a recinrocatively mounted front paper feed tableassociated with said platen, a movable rear paper tableand means formounting said rear paper table so that the angularity of the same withrespect to the front feed table, when the platen is in a paper feedingposition, is capable of being varied.

15. In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen shiftable at will from anormal printing position through an intermediate paper adjustingposition to a paper feeding position, a generally fiat paper feed tablenormally spaced an appreciable distance from the platen, means acaprinting position,

position, a

tuated by'the platen when moved to its paper feeding position fordisplacing the paper feed table in an edgewise direction toward theunder surface of the platen where the table may serve to guide a freshfront fed sheet under the platen, means holding the table stationaryWhen the platen is moved to its intermediate paper adjusting position,in which position the front surface of the platen is disposed adjacentthe rear edge of the paper feed table which serves as a line guide foradjusting the sheet on the platen.

16.. In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen shiftable at will from anormal printing position through an intermediate paper adjustingposition to a paper feeding position, a generally flat paper feed tablenormally positioned an appreciable distance from the platen, a movablesupport for the paper feed'table actuated by the movement of the platenwhen shifted to its paper feeding position for displacing the paper feedtable in an edgewise direction toward the under surface of the platenwhere the table may serve to guide a fresh front fed work sheet underthe platen, means included in the mov able table support for holding thetable stationary when the platen is shifted to its intermediate paperadjusting position, in which position the front surface of the platen isdisposed adjacent the rear edge of the paper feed table, the latterserving as a line guide for adjusting the sheet on the platen, and meansincluded in the paper feed table support actuated by the movement of theplaten to its normal printing position for restoring the paper feedtable to its normal spaced relationship with respect to the platen.

17. In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen shiftable at will from anormal printing posi tion through an intermediate paper adjustingposition to a paper feeding position, a paper feed table normallydisposed an appreciable distance away from the platen, a movable supporttherefor actuated by the movement of the platen when shifted to itspaper feeding position to displace the table edgewise toward the undersurface of the platen where the table serves to guide a fresh front fedwork sheet under the platen, means included in the table support forholding the table stationary when the platen is shitfed to itsintermediate paper adjusting position, in which position the frontsurface of the platen is disposed adjacent the rear edge of the paperfeed table, the edge serving as a line guide for adjusting the sheet onthe platen, means included in the paper feed table support actuated bythe movement of the platen to its normal printing position for restoringthe paper feed tabie to its normal spaced relationship with respect tothe platen, spring means constantly urging the platen toward its paperfeed position and a manually releasable latch for retaining the platenin its normal and paper adjusting positions.

18. In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen its rear edge spaced awayfrom the shiftable at. will-in a substantially vertical di rection froma normal printing position through an intermediate paper adjustinposition to, an uppermost paper feeding position, a paper feed table.normally spaced away from the platen to an ineffective position, meansincluding a plurality of pivotally connected arms actuated by the platenwhen moved to its uppermost position. for displacing the feed table inan edgewise direction toward the under surface of the platen where thepaper feed table serves to guide a new front fed work sheet under theplaten, pin and slot connections included in said means for holding thepaper feed table stationary adjacent the front surface of the platenwhen the platen isshifted downward to its intermediate position toprovide a line guide for positioning the work sheet; .on the surface ofthe platen.

19. In a bookkeeping or like machine, a platen shiftable at will in asubstantially vertical direction from a normal printing position throughan intermediate paper adjusting position to an uppermost paper feedingposition, a generally flat paper feed table normally disposed withplaten to an ineffective position, support means for the table includinga plurality of pivotally connected arms actuated by the platen onmovement thereof to its uppermost position for displacing the feed tablein an edgewise direction toward the undersurfaceof the platen where thepaperfeed table serves to guide a new front fed work sheetunder theplaten, pin and slot connections included in said means for holding thepaper feed table stationary adjacent the front surface of theplaten whenthe platen is shifted downward to its intermediate position to provide aline guide for positioning the work sheet on the platen, means actuatedby the movement of the platen to its normal printing position forrestoring the paper feed table to its normal spaced relation withrespect to the platen, and a manually operable latch for retaining theplaten in its normal and paper adjusting positions.-

ELMER H. DREHER'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

